The Umbwe Route is steeper and shorter than the Machame Route. Once at the Barranco Hut you continue on with the other Machame hikers. The descent is down the Mweka trail.
Since it is a very short and direct route, it is not recommended for people with little altitude experience.
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 1: Hotel to Umbwe Cave Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 2: Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 34 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi hotel
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
- Qualified mountain guides with crew and included National Park fees
- Comprehensive first aid kit and boiled water provided on the mountain
- Fully-equipped with tents, sleeping mattresses, and dining set
- Provision of mess tent with mini chairs, tables, and candles for dining comfort
- All-inclusive meals on the mountain: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Salaries for guides, porters, cook, and waiter and rescue fees covered
- Round-trip transportation from Moshi to the mountain’s start/end points
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips, Meals and drinks not specified and Gear for your climb
- Items of personal nature, Visas and Emergency oxygen
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
